I sometimes find myself speaking as if talk were cheap, as if what I say in the spur of the moment doesn’t really matter. After all, I can take it back in the next sentence. But we know all too well that words matter.

In Genesis, God spoke the world into existence. “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3). Like God, we use words to create our lives. Words don’t merely explain, describe or communicate; they shape our reality; they create. Sometimes they create fear, sometimes love, sometimes hate, sometimes light. What do your words create?
Consider how the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives. Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” – a reflection on the power of our beliefs, on the stories we tell ourselves. If we are not careful, our words become our world. What kind of world are our words creating?
“Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21) James 3 discusses our tongue: “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” It should not be- because our words reveal what’s in our hearts. (Matthew 12:33-35)
How should we use our words?
In the body of Christ, we use our words to glorify God, to love our neighbor, and to build up the body of Christ by building each other up. “Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29; see also Romans 14:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:2, Ephesians 4: 1-11)
Perhaps the best advice is found in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 which starts with, “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” Read these verses from Corinthians, striving to make your wishes, thoughts, words, actions, habits, character and destiny reflect and be the love of Jesus.  And remember: God loves you unconditionally.

Mike

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor+13%3A+1-13&version=NRSV